The Immortal Ascension Episode 1 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Han Li, now a Core Formation Mid-Stage cultivator, initiated a hunt against a formidable Tier Six Demon Beast. He engaged the beast, striking it with his sword before unleashing his "Four Symbols: Black Tortoise Formation." After defeating the creature, he examined its inner core, noting its good quality. He then reflected that his journey into the world of cultivation began two hundred years ago, all because of a single flatbread and three bowls of borrowed flour.
Two centuries prior, in Wuligou Village, Qingniu Town, a young Han Li, then known as Er Lengzi, was awakened by his sister, who urged him to return home for fresh flatbreads. Han Li was astonished, wondering where the flour had come from, and learned that his father had borrowed it from Sixth Uncle and Madam Zheng.
His family, generations of farmers, relied on his Third Uncle, an outer disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, who was the most respected man in their village. His best friend, Zhang Tie, a chubby boy, also arrived with flatbreads, explaining that his father had borrowed flour from Uncle Niu to make them. It was a village rule that white flour flatbreads must be eaten before important journeys, even if the flour had to be borrowed.
The critical rule, however, was that borrowed items must always be returned. Han Li, now bearing his official name meaning "standing upright between Heaven and Earth," resolved to pass the Seven Mysteries Sect entrance exam, not only to repay the borrowed flour but also to change his family's destiny. The Seven Mysteries Sect's entrance exam was a grueling hike, with only the first seven participants to reach the summit being admitted.
Li Feiyu, a senior disciple, announced the results: Han Li placed eighth, and Zhang Tie came in ninth, both failing to qualify. As Han Li worried about how they would repay their family’s debt, Zhang Tie suddenly collapsed. Physician Mo, the renowned "divine healer" and savior of Sect Leader Wang, quickly assessed Zhang Tie, remarking that he had consumed too many flatbreads before hiking in the cold.
To Han Li’s surprise, Physician Mo revealed that he was there specifically to select disciples from among those who had failed, and he chose both Han Li and Zhang Tie to accompany him. Physician Mo led the two boys to Shenshou Valley, a place of beauty specially granted to him by Sect Leader Wang for saving his life. Noting their lingering stench, Physician Mo instructed them to bathe, adding "Divine Grass Dew" to their water as a deodorant.
Han Li felt a strange giddiness before both he and Zhang Tie drifted into sleep. Upon waking, Physician Mo explained that ordinary mortals accumulate impurities from the grains they consume, unable to absorb the true essence of Heaven and Earth, which causes their inherent "mortal stench." He stated that the Divine Grass Dew had cleansed them, making them feel refreshed.
Physician Mo then laid down three strict rules for their stay: they must be mindful of all matters in the valley, avoid contact with outsiders, and most importantly, diligently practice the mantra he would impart to them. Failure to adhere to these rules would result in their immediate dismissal. After securing their earnest commitment, Physician Mo offered them a meal, clarifying that the "Chun root" they ate was not merely for sustenance but for cultivation.
He instructed them to rise at dawn, cleanse themselves, and light incense to prepare for learning the mantra. Physician Mo began teaching them the mantra, explaining it was divided into several tiers and promising that mastering the first tier within three months would grant them formal discipleship and a monthly allowance. He sternly warned them against divulging the mantra to outsiders. After some time, Physician Mo assessed their progress.
He was pleased with Han Li’s cultivation, but found Zhang Tie completely unresponsive, dismissing him as "a blockhead," stating he would never be enlightened. Zhang Tie, desperate to stay, tearfully pleaded with Physician Mo, offering to perform any chore, from growing crops to making flatbreads or even washing his feet. Seeing Zhang Tie’s earnestness, Han Li interceded, declaring that if Zhang Tie was forced to leave, he would depart with him. Physician Mo reconsidered, agreeing to let Zhang Tie remain.
He offered to teach Zhang Tie a different technique called "Mammoth Skin," a powerful art that could grant "the power to move mountains" even at its initial stage, but required enduring immense suffering. Zhang Tie, unfazed, readily accepted the challenge. Physician Mo then allowed both boys to stay, instructing Han Li to concentrate solely on his mantra cultivation, while Zhang Tie was tasked with monitoring Han Li’s diligence.
An unseen companion, whom Physician Mo addressed as "Old Ghost," criticized his earlier medicinal preparations, insisting that "common goods" were hindering Han Li’s cultivation. Old Ghost demanded stronger remedies, but Physician Mo dismissed his concerns, claiming to know what he was doing. Soon after, Physician Mo prepared a unique herbal bath for Han Li, filled with "precious herbs," instructing him to soak for four hours and regulate his breathing using the mantra.
Zhang Tie was tasked with maintaining the water’s temperature. As Han Li immersed himself, an overwhelming heat enveloped his body, becoming almost unbearable. Zhang Tie, noticing Han Li's distress, urgently called for Physician Mo. Physician Mo, observing Han Li's intense state, sternly commanded him to persist in his cultivation. Han Li pushed through the pain, successfully breaking through the first tier of the mantra. Physician Mo was visibly pleased, affirming that indeed, the heavier dosage of medicine had proven effective.
He then promised Han Li more potent tonics and even new clothes, something Han Li had never worn before. Over a year passed within Shenshou Valley. Zhang Tie’s cultivation of Mammoth Skin involved countless arduous body-tempering sessions, leaving him constantly covered in cuts and bruises. As Physician Mo had forbidden Han Li from performing mundane tasks, Zhang Tie dutifully handled all the chores, including gathering herbs and cooking.
Han Li resolved to treat Zhang Tie well once they completed their training and left the mountain. Both boys diligently saved their monthly allowances, sending them back to their families in the village. The borrowed flour had long been repaid, and their families now enjoyed an abundance of buns and flatbreads, no longer needing to borrow from neighbors. As Han Li progressed, he broke through the second tier of his mantra cultivation.
True to his word, Physician Mo began teaching Han Li the arts of medicine, including herb refinement, prescription preparation, and acupuncture, imparting all his knowledge without reservation. Han Li’s monthly allowance more than doubled. He noticed that his vision and hearing had sharpened, and his mind had become more agile, confirming the profound effects of the mantra. Han Li continued to gather herbs in the surrounding forests, preparing for his deepening studies in medicine.
During one such outing, he discovered a peculiar small, green vial that shimmered beautifully but proved impossible to open or even damage with a sharp cleaver. He decided to keep it. Later, Han Li shared his philosophical insights regarding the mantra with Physician Mo, suggesting that true inner peace could only be found by accepting the inherent imperfections of the world.
Physician Mo reacted with unexpected anger, immediately confiscating all of Han Li’s books and forbidding him from further reading, demanding he focus exclusively on cultivation. Privately, Physician Mo then confronted Old Ghost, accusing him of allowing Han Li to read, which had led the boy to develop independent thoughts, making him difficult to control. Old Ghost scoffed, reminding Physician Mo that it was his own medical skills that had kept Han Li compliant within the valley.
Han Li, unsettled by Physician Mo’s sudden and unpredictable shift in demeanor, felt a premonition that something ominous was about to occur and resolved to be more guarded about his inner thoughts. The small green vial, Han Li discovered, possessed the remarkable ability to absorb moonlight, glowing faintly as it did so. This confirmed his theory that the vial functioned best in open, unobstructed spaces.
While its full purpose remained a mystery, Han Li felt he was closer to understanding it. One night, as he experimented with the vial, Han Li stumbled upon a clandestine meeting between Wu Yan, a disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, and members of the notorious Wild Wolves Gang. Han Li was aghast to overhear Wu Yan discussing a plot to betray the Seven Mysteries Sect by helping the gang rob a valuable birthday gift intended for King Qin's residence.
Horrified, Han Li planned to report the treachery. Suddenly, Physician Mo appeared, scolding Han Li for venturing outside the valley and involving himself in the trivial conflicts of mortals. He declared that Han Li’s life was infinitely more valuable than the entire Seven Mysteries Sect. Despite Han Li’s attempt to explain Wu Yan’s betrayal, Physician Mo summarily shoved Wu Yan off a cliff.
Physician Mo then ordered Han Li to return to his cultivation and rapidly reach the third tier, sternly warning that Han Li’s life belonged solely to him. Later, a distraught Zhang Tie rushed to Han Li, confirming that a Seven Mysteries Sect disciple had fallen from the mountain. Han Li was deeply disturbed, realizing his master had killed the man and pondering why he had so meticulously concealed his true abilities. Physician Mo, perceiving Han Li's turmoil, warned him that such a restless mind would hinder his cultivation progress, ominously adding that he would always be watching him.
